(This is one of the best threads I’ve seen on the forum for some time. Flagging to follow up with all of the references in more detail.)
I have been practicing birding by ear for the last couple seasons. I also have a hard time recalling the pitches for a selected bird, but can more reliably hear the sound and remember the bird name.
I didn’t see anyone mention yet that birders already have a birdsong mnemonic that encodes the birdsong syllables with words. It can be frustrating reading a birding guide and see these phrases, because they don’t do anything to help you understand a birdsong if you have not already heard it. However, if you hear the song and encode the words, the words help hook back to the song.
ie. American Robin “cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up .”
If you don’t know the sound of a robin, this won’t help you, but if you hear the bright voice of a robin and think, ah, cheerily, cheer up, you can later use those words to recall the song.
We often talk about how mnemonics are amplified by absurdity, comedy, sensuality, etc. and this shows up in the variety of birdsong-speech that shows up in birding guides. I can’t find one readily, but I’m sure you can find an example within a few entries of your field guide of choice.
The other method that is less artificial is to try to imitate bird songs. It is usually a whole-body exercise, and requires dropping all inhibitions to really do it well, which are both aspects of mnemonics. I’m not sure this is the best method for any kind of speed-learning endeavor, but it is another way to build familiarity. For some masterful bird imitations, and a fully wonderful conversation about birds and living, listen to: Episode 22: Prairie Warbler | This Is Love
I learned the song of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet last summer. The next time I heard it was last weekend, and I remembered what it was right away. Amazingly, even now I can’t fully recall the song in my head!